I try to visit Waxing the City whenever I can, but because I don’t live in Denver I have to schedule appointments when I visit. For those times that I have to go elsewhere, I find that when I have a Brazilian, some of the hair seems to be broken at the skin as opposed to being pulled out. What is the cause and how can this be prevented? When it comes to waxing, I wish I lived in Denver.

Thanks for supporting Waxing the City even though you live in another state. I hope that these tips will help you in your search for great waxing!

What you’re talking about is stubble. There are many variables when it comes to stubble after waxing, here are a few that I feel are the most common causes:

Time
Are you waiting the appropriate time in between your waxes?

Typically, it’s best to wait 4-5 weeks between waxes, depending on your growth. This is a good amount of time for all the hair to grow in and grow in evenly. If you don’t wait long enough some hairs will grow in but others will still be at the surface of the skin.

If you shaved before your wax then you must wait 2-3 weeks after your last shave. The hairs need to be long enough for the wax to adhere to the hair and pull it from the root. If you shaved, be patient with your first couple waxes, it takes a few before the hair starts to grow in finer.

When the hair is finer it pulls from the root easier. When the hair is coarse it tends to break at the surface instead of pulling out. This is when you may feel stubble.

Wax
Are they using a hard wax or a soft wax (the one with strips)?

Waxing the City prefers to use a hard wax, which is commonly called blue wax because of its color, for all bikini services. The hair on the bikini area grows in all different directions and the wax needs to be applied in small controlled areas. Hard wax is ideal for those hard to reach areas because it is gentler to the skin. Hard wax goes on the skin warm and then cools and hardens acting like saran wrap to the hair. As it hardens it lifts itself from the skin making the pull less painful.

Soft wax is used for speed waxing on large areas like legs, backs and arms, where the hair primarily grows in one direction. The soft wax is applied in one large piece and then removed with the strips. The cerologists at Waxing the City don't believe that the bikini area is an area to "speed wax." This technique can cause hairs to break.

Cerologist (AKA esthetician)

One of the things that sets Waxing the City apart is that we do one thing and do it to the highest degree of excellence.

So, if you are unable to visit one of our studios, you are going to a spa or a salon that does not only waxing, but also hair, manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, etc. And, the person you are seeing is an esthetician not a trained cerologist.

Nothing wrong with that, but here are some things to consider:

We think it’s always a good idea to ask around and find an esthetician that has more experience with hard wax and body waxing. A lot of spas specialize in facials/body treatments, which doesn't allow the technician to have much experience with waxing.

Try to find someone who enjoys waxing or a salon that has someone on staff who specializes in waxing. This will change your whole experience. Look for someone who is trained and who can help remedy any problems you might be having and who will work with you to get you on a good waxing schedule. Get to know someone and their technique so your services can stay consistent.

Good luck and happy waxing!

Alex
Waxing the City- Dallas

Alex, what is your opinion regarding getting waxed on an area of skin that has already been waxed, but needs to be rewaxed because all the hair wasn’t removed successfully during the same visit? Is there a standard protocol for a re-wax? The reason I ask is because I had a bad experience (don’t worry, it was NOT at WTC!) where the esthetician waxed my eyebrows, but apparently missed quite a few hairs. She went back and waxed the same area again. The esthetician ended up pulling skin off and it really hurt! 

The first thing we would want to identify is the type of wax being used when you had this experience. I would guess that the esthetician may have been using a soft wax (the kind that is removed with a strip) as I have seen these types of problems occur with using this kind of wax.  Also, I would want to explore if you are on any medications or using any products that might be affecting the integrity of your skin.  

Here at Waxing the City our cerologists only use hard wax on the face. Strip wax is far too abrasive for the sensitive skin around the eyes and lip. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin on our bodies and because the strip wax adheres to the skin and hair it is more likely for delicate skin to lift and quite literally be ripped off along with the hair. The reason we use hard wax is because it allows us to go over the same, delicate area if needed a second time. Hard wax when applied “lifts from the skin” and minimizes the trauma to the skin...although hard wax gives us this benefit we still only will apply and remove hard wax from your skin twice (but no more than twice).

We also use baby powder on the skin as an extra barrier to keep the wax from adhering to the skin. But, rewaxing, especially on the face, is something we try to avoid; our goal is to get it right the first time. We also instruct our cerologists to tweeze the remaining hair to avoid additional wax applications.


So, basically our protocol is this: in almost all situations we use hard wax for the more, sensitive areas of the body (including brows), which allows for one additional wax application if needed. We then tweeze the remaining hair.  If using a soft or strip wax on sensitive areas, if all the hair doesn't come up we never use soft wax to go back over the area a second time. The area has already had a layer of skin exfoliated so if you then go back and use soft wax, the wax that adheres to skin and hair, will lift skin, OUCH!

Visit us anytime and experience the difference in our technique. Keep the questions coming, these are great!

Thanks,

Alex
Waxing the City- Boulder

I get waxed quite regularly and every time I always walk out with red bumps all over the area that was waxed. Any suggestions on how to reduce redness? I’ve heard tea tree oil and cold/hot compresses help, is this true? 

Even regular waxers have to endure the embarrassing red bumps or patches.  

The most common area to be effected by redness is the brow line. The skin on the face, and most especially around the eyes, is the most sensitive and delicate on the entire body; special care must be taken when waxing the brows, upper lip, etc. If you have fairer skin, you may tend to get what we call “pink eye shadow” or get blotches or bumps more readily than someone with darker skin. Keep in mind there are exceptions to this rule. But, also know that redness and bumps only last for a short time.

We try and help minimize the redness and bumps with Azulene oil, made of essential oils, lavender, sage, sandlewood. This wonderful smelling oil helps calm and soothe reddened skin after waxing.

A cold compress is a good option, as well. Cold will cause vasoconstriction, which narrows the blood vessels and slows the blood flow to an area. The cold compress will also help with inflammation if you’re feeling a little puffy after your wax.

Don't use a hot compress because it will do the opposite and, honestly, I don't think it will feel very good.

Cheers,

Alex
Waxing the City-Denver